AGC seeks costs against Hougang resident

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has sought costs against the Hougang resident who lost her bid to get the courts to make a declaration on the calling of by-elections.

But Madam Vellama Marie Muthu's lawyer M. Ravi argued at a cost hearing on Monday that this order should not be made, noting this was a case where constitutional rights were at stake. In the end, no ruling was made, and a further hearing was scheduled for next week.

Madam Vellama had wanted to get the courts to declare that the prime minister does not have "unfettered discretion" in deciding whether and when to call a by-election when a parliamentary seat is vacated, but High Court Judge Philip Pillai dismissed it on Aug 1.

On Monday, the AGC, represented by Senior Counsel David Cheong, asked for legal costs to be ordered against her.